A. Applicability. Fences, hedges and walls shall be installed and maintained in compliance with this Section. These regulations do not apply to fences required by the City for reasons of public safety.
B. General Height Limitations. Fences, hedges, and walls shall comply with the height limitations of Table 3-2 (Maximum Height of Fences, Hedges, and Walls).
Location
| Maximum Height (1) | Additional Requirements
|
Location
| Maximum Height (1) | Additional Requirements
|
Residential Zone - Within the required front setback | 4 feet (2) | When within 10 feet of a public street right-of-way, and 5 feet of the intersection of the driveway or alley with the public street right- of-way, the portion of the fence or wall above 30 inches in height shall be of an openwork design (e.g., wrought iron or other material allowing visibility), as approved by the Director, to ensure adequate visibility for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. |
Residential Zone - Within a 15 foot intersection safety sightline. | 4 feet (2) | The portion of the fence or wall above 30 inches in height shall be of an openwork design (e.g., wrought iron or other material), as approved by the Director, to ensure adequate visibility for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. |
See Figure 3-4 (Measurement of Fence Height), page 3-12. | ||
Residential Zone - Within a 5 foot side or rear yard driveway safety sightline. | 4 feet (2) | The portion of the fence or wall above 30 inches in height shall be of an openwork design (e. g., wrought iron or other material), as approved by the Director, to ensure adequate visibility for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. |
See Figure 3-4 (Measurement of Fence Height), page 3-12. | ||
Residential Zone - Within a required side or rear setback. | 6 feet (3)(4)(5) | A fence or a wall on a side or rear property line that abuts a public street right-of-way shall have a minimum 1 foot landscaped setback. |
Table continues on next page. | ||
Location
| Maximum Height (1) | Additional Requirements
|
Non-Residential Zone - Within the required front setback or street abutting setback area. | 4 feet | None |
Non-Residential Zone - Between a public street right-of-way and parking area. | 4 feet | The Director may approve an openwork (e.g., wrought iron) security fence not to exceed 8 feet in height, subject to conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to protect the public interest, including the design and setback of the fence, and landscaping adjoining the fence. |
Non-Residential - Within 10 feet of the intersection of a driveway and a public sidewalk. | 4 feet | None |
Non-Residential - Along an interior property line that abuts a residential zoning district. | 8 feet | None |
Non-Residential - Along an interior property line that abuts a non-residential zoning district. | 9 feet | None |
Notes:
(1) Ornamental features, including finials, caps or other decorative elements, may exceed the height limitations by 6 inches above the top of a wall or fence a minimum distance of 4 feet apart.
(2) A wrought iron or similar decorative openwork fence incorporating solid masonry pilasters that are no more than 16 inches thick, and less than 10 feet apart, shall be considered to provide adequate visibility, and therefore, may meet the 4-foot rather than the 30-inch height restriction.
(3) The maximum 6-foot height is not applicable to hedges or other landscaping within a required side or rear setback.
(4) Any fence, wall or hedge may be required to be a maximum of 4 feet in height for safety sightline purposes, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Director.
(5) See Chapter 17.550 (Variances and Administrative Modifications).
Figure 3-5 Measurement of Fence or Wall Height
C. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls shall not exceed 6 feet in height for any 1 wall, nor 12 feet for any combination of walls (including required freeboard). Any combination of walls shall be separated by at least 3 feet horizontally. Retaining walls are permitted in all yards.
D. Measurement of Height. For purposes of this Subsection, a wall or fence that is located within 5 feet of a public street right-of-way shall be measured from the grade of the abutting public right-of-way, except in cases where severe or unusual slope conditions exist, in which case an alternative basis for measurement may be determined by the Director. The height of a wall or fence located along an interior property line shall be measured from the higher natural or established grade of the two abutting properties.
E. Special Wall and Fencing Requirements.
1. Jacuzzi, spa, swimming pools, and similar features. Jacuzzi, spa, swimming pool, or similar outdoor water features shall be fenced in compliance with the Uniform Building Code.
2. Outdoor equipment, storage, and work areas. Screening of outdoor uses and equipment shall be provided in compliance with § 17.300.035 (Screening).
3. Temporary fencing. Temporary fencing may be approved as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Director.
4. Address numbers. If a fence or wall obstructs the view of a property address from the street right-of-way, the address numbers shall be located on the fence so that they are clearly visible from the street right-of-way.
F. Lighting Fixtures.
1. Along street-facing property line. Decorative lighting fixtures may be placed on top of a fence along a street-facing property line, provided that the fixtures:
a. Are an integral part of the fence design;
b. Extend no more than 16 inches above the maximum height allowed; and
c. Reflect light down and away from adjoining property so that the light emitted does not create a public nuisance or offense, in compliance with other applicable CCMC provisions.
2. Along interior property line. Lighting fixtures may be attached to the side of a fence along an interior property line, provided that they do not project above the top of the fence.
G. Security Fencing. Fences shall not incorporate electrical currents, razor ribbon, and/or pointed, protruding, or sharp objects or elements, except as provided in Subsection 17.300.035.H. (Barbed Wire Fencing) immediately below. Exception: Wrought iron fences may incorporate decorative arrowhead and curved point tips.
H. Barbed Wire Fencing. The Director may approve a fence incorporating barbed wire if:
1. Not abutting residential. The fence is erected or maintained on a property line that does not abut a residential zoning district;
2. Clearance of support arms. The barbed wire is supported by arms that attach to a fence that has a minimum height of 8 feet above finish grade;
3. Design of support arms. The arms that support the barbed wire rise at a 45-degree angle on the inside of the fence, beginning at minimum height of 6 feet, 6 inches above finish grade to a maximum height of 8 feet above finish grade;
4. Fence design. The fence is either woodlink, industrial privacy, or similar type that the Director agrees will conceal the barbed wire from public view from immediately outside the fence;
5. Setbacks. All required setbacks are met; and
6. Warning signs. Warning signs, at least 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size, are posted no more than 10 feet apart on the outside of the fence that does not abut an interior property line. The sign shall have letters at least 1 inch in height, and shall give sufficient warning that the fence incorporates barbed wire.
I. Administrative Waiver. The Director may administratively approve fences and walls that exceed the maximum heights identified in this Subsection, if at least one of the following circumstances exists:
1. A City-verified nuisance or criminal activity exists on the property or within the nearby area;
2. The property has exceptional or extraordinary geographical circumstances;
3. A residential front setback is located on a designated primary arterial. The fence may be of solid or opaque material, but shall not exceed 4 feet in height; or
4. The fence or wall is located within a street-abutting setback of a guard-gated residential development, provided that the fence:
a. Has a landscaped setback at least equal in depth, on average, to the height of the fence;
b. Is of a decorative, non-obtrusive design suitable to the development and its surroundings, as approved by the Director; and
c. Does not exceed 8 feet in height.
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2021-012 § 3 (part))